NOTICE OF ELECTION – Havannah Ward

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Election of a Town Councillor for

HAVANNAH WARD OF STANLEY PARISH

  1. An Election is to be held of One Town Councillor for Havannah Ward of Stanley Parish.
  2. Forms of nomination for the Parish Election may be obtained from the Clerk to the Parish Council or the Returning Officer, Room 1/104-115, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL, (between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm) who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area prepare a nomination paper for signature.
  3. Nomination papers must be delivered in person to the Returning Officer, Room 1/104-115, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL (between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm), on any day from the date of this notice but no later than 4 pm on Thursday, 9th August 2018. If the election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, 6th September 2018.
  4. Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Room 1/104-115, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL by 5 pm on Tuesday, 21st August 2018.
  5. Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Room 1/104-115, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL by 5 pm on Wednesday, 29th August 2018.
  6. Applications to vote by proxy at this election applied for on grounds of physical incapacity, where that physical incapacity occurred after 5 pm on Wednesday, 29th August 2018, must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Returning Officer, Room 1/104-115, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL by 5 pm on Thursday, 6th September 2018.

Dated Wednesday 1 August 2018 Terry Collins Returning Officer

Louisa Morrison Pit disaster Memorial moved…

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IT WAS almost midnight on August 22, 1947, when tragedy struck a North Durham town, costing the lives of 22 men and shaking a community to its core.

The two dozen miners were underground in the “fourth north district”, between the Louisa Pit and the Morrison North Pit, in the area of Kyo bogs when a huge explosion of firedamp, most likely a pocket of methane gas, ripped through the pit workings.

Of the 24 men working the coal seam, 22 were killed, including two “Bevin Boys”.

The two pits were linked underground, so the men were from both collieries and had descended from both ends of the shaft.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the disaster, and remember the men lost that day, local historian Jack Hair and then vicar of St Aidan’s church, Annfield Plain, Revd. DE Jenkins, raised funds for a permanent memorial in the grounds of the church, which was dedicated with family members and descendants of the deceased present on August 23, 1997.

However, the memorial was placed under threat, when it was announced in February 2016 that St Aidan’s church was to close.

Stanley Town Council moved quickly to honour the men who died in 1947 and save the memorial. Following lengthy discussions with the church and with help from Mr Hair, whooriginally commissioned the stone, the Council is funding the relocation of the stone, which will now sit outside the Louisa Centre, near the site of the old Louisa Colliery.

Town Mayor Alex Clegg said: After almost two years of negotiations, we finally got the green light to relocate the stone, just in time for the 71st Anniversary of the disaster and it is fitting that now sits so close to where some of those hardworking men made their final journey underground.

“This disaster was an important part of our area’s mining history and it’s right that the men should be remembered.

“I’m delighted that we have not only been able to secure the future of the memorial for future generations but that we have been able to place it in a prominent location so that many more people will be able to see the memorial in the setting of the former site of the Louisa Colliery.”

Leader of Stanley Town Council, David Marshall, said: “Like most this part of County Durham, the town of Stanley was hewn from the coalface – our proud history inexorably linked to the coal mining industry.

“It is only right and proper that we continue to educate people about and pay tribute to the brave souls who gave their life down the pit. They worked for long hours in horrendous conditions for a modest income all to make sure there was food on the table for their families…we will remember them and make sure others do for generations to come.”

The Town Council is planning an event on August 23, the anniversary of the disaster to re-dedicate the memorial in it’s new setting.

PLAY IN THE PARK 2018

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Stanley Town Council is delighted to announce the dates for this year’s Summer Play in the Park Events. As always, all the rides and activities will be FREE so get the dates in your diary now.

The dates are:

Wed 1 Aug – View Lane Park

Sat 4 Aug – Oakies Park

Wed 8 Aug – South Moor Greenland School Playing Fields

Sat 18 Aug – Annfield Plain Park

Wed 22 Aug – Craghead Millennium Green

All events are from 10 am to 3 pm

Introducing our new Events Management Partner

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Stanley Town Council has joined forces with local company Alan Hillary Events to deliver its events programme over the next 3 years. The Council took the decision to seek a professional events management partner to improve the quality of events delivered for residents and to enable the Town Council’s own staff to focus on delivering more community projects in the Stanley area.

James Harper, STC Environment Manager, (pictured, right) met with Scott Hillary (left) today to finalise the arrangements for the Town Council’s Play in the Park events.

James said “Alan Hillary Events have 30 years of experience in this area, put forward the strongest bid for the contract and we’re looking forward to working with them”.

For more information about the company, see their facebook page linked below

https://www.facebook.com/AlanHillaryEventsLtd/

Dynamic duo all set for the Stanley beat…

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A PAIR of crimefighters are clamping down on community anti-social behaviour in a North Durham town.

Two new neighbourhood wardens have been recruited to prowl the Stanley beat, working alongside their communities to improve the environment and help tackle minor disorder and vandalism.

The new full-time patrolmen are funded by Stanley Town Council, which is also funding essential equipment and training.

Kieron Rice and Dave Jarvis started their first shifts this week and were eased into the role by Paul Rutherford, one of Durham County Council’s community wardens.

Kieron said: “I couldn’t wait to get started. I think Stanley is a great town and there seems to be so much happening at the moment, with everyone pulling in the same direction.

“My aim is to quickly get to know people across the community and begin to build up trust in ourselves and the service. In doing that, we will learn about areas of concern, potential areas of anti-social behaviour and also involve ourselves in some of the proactive community projects happening all over Stanley.

“The more we can help improve Stanley, the better civic pride will be and the more pride we can instil, the easier our jobs will be. Every village and town has its issues with challenging elements, but if we can reduce their impact on other people, then our introduction will have been a success.”

The wardens will work closely with the Town Council as well as other community groups. It will also provide a link with Durham Police, which has backed the introduction of community wardens.

Leader of Stanley Town Council, Councillor David Marshall said: “Stanley will benefit from the arrival of Kieran and Dave, who will immerse themselves in the community and quickly learn about the projects that are making a real difference to their lives and also address some of their concerns.

“When the enhanced wardens service was cancelled in 2015, the quality of life for people in and around Stanley deteriorated. Almost overnight, there was an increase in dog fouling, more fly tipping and a rise in the amount of rubbish blowing around the streets. How can people be proud of where they live in that sort of environment?

“The people of Stanley wanted to see an improvement in their environment, so I’m delighted that we can start tackling that by bringing back a dedicated team of wardens and environmental caretakers that can really get stuck in to improving the environment for all of our communities.”

The wardens will also work alongside Stanley’s Environmental Caretakers, who, among other services, take a lead the town’s “In Bloom” entry and other civic pride programmes.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “This is an example of partnership work at its best, and demonstrates the commitment of Stanley Town Council and ourselves to ensuring Stanley is a safe and attractive place to live, work and visit.

“Neighbourhood wardens make a positive difference in towns and villages across County Durham, and Stanley Town Council’s decision to invest in an enhanced service demonstrates a proactive approach that should be applauded.”

Full Council 24th July 2018 – Papers Uploaded

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The papers for next week’s Full Council meeting are linked below.  The meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 24th July 2018 at the Civic Hall, Front St, Stanley. The meeting is open to the public.  If members of the public wish to participate and ask questions, the Town Clerk should be contacted in advance of the meeting and advised what the question relates to.

‘-Full Council Agenda 24 July 2018

Combined Papers Full Council July 18

Extra-Ordinary Council Meeting Friday 20th July 2018

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There will be an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Council to consider bids received for the events management tender on Friday 20th July, 6.30pm.  The meeting will be held at Craghead Village Hall, Middles Road, Craghead.

Please note that the meeting will not be open to the public after Agenda Item 4 due to the Commercial Sensitivity of the matter being discussed.

The Agenda is linked below.

Agenda 20-7-18 (signed copy)

County Durham Plan Consultation, 25th June 2018

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There will be a consultation event about the proposals for the County Durham plan this Thursday, 28th June from 4pm – 7pm in the Civic Hall. The County Council are consulting on preferred options and it is essential that they capture as much feedback as possible from residents across the County. The plan will determine the direction of development in County Durham until 20135. For further information see the County Council’s website www.durham.gov.uk/future